The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

Loading ...

Loading ...

This story appears in the {{article.article.magazine.pretty_date}} issue of {{article.article.magazine.pubName}}. Subscribe

Sears: The Longest Unofficial Liquidation Sale In History Continues

In afternoon trading on Monday, Utilities stocks are the best performing sector, higher by 0.6%. Within that group, FirstEnergy Corp (NYSE: FE) and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc (NYSE: PEG) are two large stocks leading the way, showing a gain of 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively. Among utilities ETFs, one ETF following the sector is the Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (AMEX: XLU), which is up 0.5% on the day, and up 13.68% year-to-date. FirstEnergy Corp, meanwhile, is up 5.23% year-to-date, and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc is up 10.98% year-to-date. Combined, FE and PEG make up approximately 5.7% of the underlying holdings of XLU.

The next best performing sector is the Materials sector, higher by 0.3%. Among large Materials stocks, Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE: NEM) and Vulcan Materials Co (NYSE: VMC) are the most notable, showing a gain of 2.6% and 2.5%, respectively. One ETF closely tracking Materials stocks is the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLB), which is up 0.1% in midday trading, and up 8.25% on a year-to-date basis. Newmont Mining Corp , meanwhile, is up 95.66% year-to-date, and Vulcan Materials Co is up 19.08% year-to-date. Combined, NEM and VMC make up approximately 6.5% of the underlying holdings of XLB.

Comparing these stocks and ETFs on a trailing twelve month basis, below is a relative stock price performance chart, with each of the symbols shown in a different color as labeled in the legend at the bottom:

Here's a snapshot of how the S&P 500 components within the various sectors are faring in afternoon trading on Monday. As you can see, two sectors are up on the day, while seven sectors are down.